August 1: Good Pain!

Jeremiah 17:19-20:13

There is so much in today's scripture reading! I hardly know where to begin or what to focus on. 

Jeremiah 18:1-12

Amplified Bible (AMP)

18 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord:

2 Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.

3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he was working at the wheel.

4 And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me:

6 O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

7 At one time I will suddenly speak concerning a nation or kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it;

8 And if [the people of] that nation concerning which I have spoken turn from their evil, I will relent and reverse My decision concerning the evil that I thought to do to them.

9 At another time I will suddenly speak concerning a nation or kingdom, that I will build up and plant it;

10 And if they do evil in My sight, obeying not My voice, then I will regret and reverse My decision concerning the good with which I said I would benefit them.

11 Now therefore say to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord: Behold, I am shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Return now each one from his evil way; reform your [accustomed] ways and make your [individual] actions good and right.

12 But they will say, That is in vain! For we will walk after our own devices, and we will each do as the stubbornness of his own evil heart dictates.

If each of us would simply heed this portion of scripture, our lives would be incredibly blessed by God.

Okay, if America would take heed to this portion of scripture, she would be incredibly blessed by God!

Seriously, America couldn't be more like this evil, stubborn nation. 

Our nation, even a large portion of the so-called Christian segment, is EMBRACING everything that is against Scripture. Our nation is choosing, ON PURPOSE, to be deceived. Exactly like the nation of Israel. 

God gave them soooooo many chances. 

If, after all this time of disobedience, America will repent, turn from her wickedness and follow God's teaching, God will change His mind and rain down blessings on her! But a LARGE portion of the Christians need to start fasting and praying for our country. Sudden destruction is coming on her. (with the exception of those of us who are a part of the small remnant that is submitting to the Potters wheel as this scripture portrays - God has promised to protect and bless us in the midst of the destruction of our nation.)

Okay, now I need to focus on myself.

2 Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.

3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he was working at the wheel.

4 And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it.

The Potter is the Almighty God. The clay is me. 

Go right ahead, Jesus. Take me, break me, mold me, make me. Sure it hurts! But it's a good hurt. Afterwards, I'm perfected and whole! 

Kind of like intense working out. Pain! Sweating! Muscles screaming please stop this torture! But the results are amazing! My physical body becomes strong! My mind clears! The tired sluggish feeling disappears completely! My quality of life skyrockets!

Same with the spiritual man. If I willingly and joyfully climb up on the potters wheel, and embrace the pain while clinging to Jesus, my life will immediately start to improve. The most indescribable peace will overwhelm me like never before. 

"Dear God I'm climbing up on the Potters wheel right now. I'm a little scared as I pray this. Take me, break me, mold me, make me. And then use me for Your glory, Lord. I am ministering to a community of dear people who are bound in hopelessness, fear and addictions. Please help me to be Your hands and feet to these dear children of Yours. It's not about me, O God. It's about bringing light and joy to these otherwise hopeless lives. Thank You that You've healed and delivered me so I can pass the healing and deliverence on to the hurting and broken. I worship You for You alone are the one true God. In Your name, the precious name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN."